Beverage active chiller

ABSTRACT

A mechanical apparatus comprised of a plurality of pods in the form of a cylindrical sleeve, containing liquid, to be frozen for the purpose of dynamically transfer/impart its charged thermal energy to a directly contacted object placed within. The pods are joined to each other by elastic bands allowing it to instantly expanse and grip varying size beverage containers. Furthermore, the plurality of pods and a beverage container are disposed in an insulated holder; a sealable cap is then inserted to seal off and insulate the discharging of thermal energy therein from ambient conditions. A beverage in the form of can or bottle may be placed in the apparatus to achieve desired chill temperature for an extended length of time in high ambient temperature conditions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION

This application is a conversion to a nonprovisional under 37 C.F.R.§1.53 (c)(3) of U.S. provisional application No. 62/315,191, entitled “Beverage Chilling Pod Sleeve”, filed on Mar. 30, 2016, by inventor HaiT. Nguyen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Often times, such as a backyard gathering, an outdoor event, picnicking,camping and boating etc., whereas, the outdoor temperature is usuallymuch warmer than the temperature of controlled indoor setting; a chilledcanned or bottled beverage will not be able to maintain its originalchilled status for a length of time, especially in boating activities.After about 15 minutes of direct exposure to an elevated ambienttemperature; the temperature of a chilled beverage becomes warm andcontinues to be warmer over time to a state that the beverage may not beas desirable for consumption. Alcoholic drinks such as beer and whitewine; refreshment drinks such as soda, juice and water simply taste muchbetter when they are chilled and remain chilled over a length of time.Thus, it is the exact intention of this invention to overcome theundesired above conditions and to deliver a practical and provensolution.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a complete and easy to use portable chillerdevice for a beverage object in the form of a can or bottle. The mostimportant part of the invention is the “active chiller”. Think of theactive chiller like a rechargeable battery for use and to be reused. Inthis case, the active chiller comprises a plurality of pods containingdistilled water; it is to be frozen to build up its icy condition(thermal energy charged); then it is to be placed/wrapped onto apre-chilled beverage (pre-chilled beverage is preferred for best resultbut beverage can be of normal temperature condition). The pre-chilledbeverage with the active chiller are disposed in a cup like holder, thenthe whole thing is capped to seal and insulate the ice cold temperatureinside. The active chiller's icy condition couples with the pre-chilledbeverage are being protected and insulated to provide the desiredchilled temperature for an extended length of time. The active (becauseit has thermal energy—frozen ice—for discharge) chiller is removable,rechargeable and reusable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ARTS

At the present, several devices for chilling a beverage object areknown. One type of a known device for chilling a beverage object iscomprised of a fixed diameter annular cylindrical sleeve. Whereas, thisapproach does not have the flexibility to accept variety of cans orbottles of different diameters. In doing so, there is an annular spaceexisted between the beverage object and the fixed diameter annularcylindrical sleeve when the beverage object is not of intended size. Theannular space is a clear disadvantage because it does not allow for themaximum thermal energy transfer to the beverage object. Such a device isknown by U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,374 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,226.

A second type of a known device for chilling a beverage object comprisesa sleeve-like body structure. The formation of the sleeve with multiplecompartments can be best described as a polygon in its natural state.Each compartment further divides into two sub-compartments. The innercompartment requires non-freezing cooling liquid for active chilling andthe outer compartment is reserved for a compressible resilient material.There are a few disadvantages to this invention. First, the use ofnon-freezing cooling liquid is not as effective as solid ice for thermalenergy, it is considered toxic and costs more to supply. Second, becauseof its polygon shape, this invention cannot replace a non-freezingcooling liquid with water and still produce the circular shape requiredfor the full contact with the objects. The inherently unpredictableshape of the compartments and the expansion and contraction of thesleeve do not fully accommodate the can or bottle. Furthermore, eachcompartment with two sub-compartments and the required use of exoticmaterials for construction are not a good economic factor. Lastly, byrelying on the outer compartment for providing insulation to the coolingdevice is inadequate due to partial direct exposure of the innercompartment to ambient condition. Such a device is known by U.S. Pat.No. 7,089,757.

A third type of a known device for chilling a beverage object comprisesa plurality removable plastic pouch. Each pouch is to be filled withcoolant fluid (no mentioned of any specific fluid i.e., non-freezing, orwater). The disadvantage is if the coolant fluid is non-freezing; thenit will not have maximum thermal energy like frozen ice. However, theuse of a non-freezing coolant fluid allows for the plurality removableplastic pouch to take the shape of the can or bottle object with fullcontact. The second disadvantage; the plurality removable plastic pouchdoes not allows for quick and instant ability to form the hollowcylindrical shape. Such a device is known by U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,176.

Further investigation shows a known device for chilling a beverageobject comprises a plurality of chilling members. The disadvantage ofthis invention is that each chilling member must be placed in a pouchlike carrier in order to form a hollow cylindrical shape. Thus, thechilling members do not have direct contact with the beverage object,resulting in a less effective thermal energy transfer. The seconddisadvantage of the invention is the required wrapping like of the pouchcarrier to form a hollow cylindrical shape. This technique will notresult in a true cylindrical shape due to the variant in the diameter ofdifferent sizes of cans or bottles. Another disadvantage is not allchilling members are in contact with the beverage object which resultsin a lost effectiveness for all chilling members. Such a device is knownby U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2006/0242990 A1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of this invention to provide a new and improved devicefor chilling a beverage object in which the disadvantages of the knowndevices have been avoided.

The present invention provides a simple and effective solution to chilla beverage object for an extended length of time under ambientcondition. For purposes of this application, the term “beverage” is usedto refer to consumable substances of all types and phases, including byway of illustration only and not limitation, soft drinks, alcoholicbeverages, water and the like. It is also understood that, for purposesof this application, the term “object” is used to refer to containersand receptacles of all types, materials and design constructions,including by way of illustration only and not limited to cans, bottles,cups, glasses and the like.

The apparatus of the present invention is comprised of a generally mainportion of a cup like structure capable of receiving other components ofthe said invention and including a beverage object within. A removablechiller in the form of a cylindrical sleeve is variably expandable,contractible and fits within the main body portion of the apparatus toprovide a means by which to produce and maintain desired chill conditionfor an extended period of time to a beverage object; while being exposedto ambient temperature condition. A sealable cap of ring like structurewith built-in elastic material capable of expansion and retraction toits original state, when placed over the beverage object and capped ontomain body portion, providing further protection, insulation andpreserving pre-chilled temperature of the beverage object and the frozencondition of the chiller. A “raiser” is an added optional component toraise the height of shorter beverage object, thus allowing the full useof the embodiment.

To the accomplishments of the above, this invention may be embodied inthe form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention beingcalled to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only,and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustratedand described within the scope of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantage thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded cross sectional front elevation view of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a pod taken along line 8-8 in FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the removable cylindrical sleeve assembly.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional front elevation view of the invention withrelation to a 16 oz can inserted.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional front elevation view of the invention withrelation to a 12 oz bottle inserted.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional front elevation view of the invention withrelation to a 12 oz can inserted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of an apparatus of thepresent invention. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprisesa main body portion 1, a removable cylindrical sleeve 2, a sealable cap3, and a raiser 4.

The main body portion 1 is a cup like configuration designed to receivethe removable cylindrical sleeve 2, a raiser 4 (optional), a sealablecap 3, and an object to be chilled (FIGS. 5-7). The main body portion 1is preferably constructed singularly of thermoplastic resins such asPolycarbonate, ABS, LDPE, or HDPE etc. All depended, but not limited to,on the desired strength, durability, cosmetically, availability and costfactor. It is further noted that the main body portion 1 also be made ofmetals such as Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Titanium etc. for high endmarket. With metal construction, there should be consideration of arubber or thermoplastic layer on the interior wall of main body portion1 to insulate/shield the high thermo conductivity associated withmetals. It is to reduce frosting and condensing conditions occur on theexterior wall.

The removable cylindrical sleeve 2 comprises of plurality of pods 21,each pod 21 is a fraction of an annular cylindrical sleeve (FIG. 4).Pods 21 are collectively joined on equal spacing by elastic bands 22 toform a cylindrical sleeve 2 (FIGS. 1 & 4). The pod 21 is generallyconstructed of any thermoplastic resins with suitable strength,durability, availability, and cost factor. It is of utmost important,the wall thickness of pod 21 be constructed as thin as possible, yetstill meet strength and durability requirements, and for maximum thermalenergy transfer to desired object. Because wall thickness of pod 21 actsas an insulating layer, thermoplastic is not as good as metal in term ofthermal conductivity, thus the thermo energy discharge of thethermoplastic pods to the object is less effective when they are incontacted to each other. It is highly preferred that pod 21 be made ofmetal that has excellence rate of thermal conductivity such as Copper orAluminum. These metals are highly ductile and can be made very thin walland yet met strength and durability requirements. FIG. 3 shown a crosssection of pod 21 filled with distilled water 23 to approximate 90% ofits volume. The 10% air volume 24 is allowed for freeze expansion of thedistilled water 23 inside. Distilled water 23 is chosen for its purity,non-toxic and faster freezing rate over gel material. The science offilling pod 21 with distilled water 23 then seal off mean for fillingthe water is readily known and can be done in variety of techniques,thus it is not discussed here.

The cylindrical sleeve 2 is a plurality of pods 21 (FIG. 4) joined onequal spacing by elastic bands 22. The elastic band 22 is preferablymade of Rubber like materials such as Neoprene, EPDM etc. that possessedhigh UV tolerant, good elongation and good retention characteristics.The significant of the elastic bands 22 (FIG. 1) is paramount. Elasticbands 22 allow the cylindrical sleeve 2 to instantly change its insidediameter to receive different objects of varying diameters (FIGS. 5-7).More and of equal important is the elastic bands 22 exerted grippingaction of the cylindrical sleeve 2 to the object. Naturally, thegripping action produced direct contact of the pods' 21 convex surfacesto the object. Inherently, the direct and full surface contact and theradial compression force of the cylindrical sleeve 2 imposed on theobject are the absolute must desired conditions for maximum transfer ofthermal energy.

As more fully illustrated in FIGS. 1 & 2, the sealable cap 3 contributesto the all important of the invention; by capping and sealing off, thedissipation rate of thermal energy from the object and the cylindricalsleeve 2 is trapped, delayed, circulated and insulated from ambientconditions. The sealable cap 3 is comprised of two parts of twodifferent materials molded together. The base cap 31 is preferablyconstructed of thermoplastics resins with suitable strength, durability,cosmetically, availability, and cost factor. It is designed to press andsnap over main body portion 1. The ring seal 32 is preferablyconstructed of Neoprene, Thermoplastic Elastomer etc. that possesseshigh UV tolerance, good elongation and good retention characteristics.The inside diameter is designed to be smaller than the smallest knowndiameter of an object. The ring seal 32 is made thin so it can easilyelongate over a bigger diameter (FIGS. 5-7) and produce a tight seal onthe object. Importantly, the ring seal 32 is molded directly to its basecap 31 to form a single part—the sealable cap 3.

Further illustration of the embodiment of the invention is shown theraiser 4 (FIGS. 1, 2 & 7). The raiser 4 is generally constructed of anythermoplastic resins with suitable strength, durability, availability,and cost factor. The raiser 4 is an optional part and used only when anobject is shorter than the main body portion 1 and sealable cap 3disposed of together. This unique part resulted in the pod 22 being madetaller, has bigger volume to produce more thermal energy, and moresurface contact with the object. All of which results in the bestthermal transfer.

FIGS. 5-7 shows an annular space 5. It is important to know thatcylindrical sleeve 2 may be distorted and bulged due to freeze expansionof distilled water 23 on each pod 21. The annular space 5 is designed toaccommodate the distortion and bulging of the cylindrical sleeve 2 andalso provide a separation layer to main body portion 1.

A quick look at FIG. 1, one will note the simplicity of the design andthe use of the invention. Prior to usage, the removable cylindricalsleeve 2 is froze to an icy condition. It is then placed/wrapped over apre-chilled canned or bottled beverage (FIGS. 5-7). Depending on thecan's height; the optional raiser 4 will be used as illustrated in FIG.7. The canned or bottled beverage together with the removablecylindrical sleeve 2 and the optional raiser 4 are to be placed in themain body portion 1. The sealable cap 3 then slipped over the can orbottle, continues to move down to snap onto the main body portion 1. Theseal ring 32 expanded and stretched over the can or bottle to seal offand insulate the chamber below. Icy condition (thermal energy) of theremovable cylindrical sleeve 2 is protected by the sealed chamber. It isbeing insulated to deliver and maintain coldness to a beverage for anextended length of time; which is the novelty of the invention.

As known from above, the embodiment of the invention illustrates anddetails the simple, effectiveness and usefulness of an apparatus todeliver the desired chill temperature to any canned or bottledbeverages.

It will be apparent that many applications will lend themselves toutilization of this invention. Although, the invention is particularlysuited for chilling canned or bottled beverages, the invention could bemodified and utilized for other industries.

While certain novel features of this invention have shown and describedin the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions,substitutions and modifications in the forms and details of theapparatus illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilledin the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for the purpose of chilling cannedor bottled object, it is comprising: a. A main body of cup likestructure capable of receiving canned or bottled object. b. A chiller ofthe form removable cylindrical sleeve c. A cap with built-in sealstructure d. A raiser to add height to shorter object
 2. The chiller ofclaim 1, wherein the removable cylindrical sleeve comprising of aplurality of pods whereas pods are collectively joined equally spacetogether by elastic bands
 3. The chiller of claim 1, wherein theremovable cylindrical sleeve comprising of a plurality of pods whereaseach pod construction is a fraction of an annular cylindrical sleeve. 4.The chiller of claim 1, wherein the removable cylindrical sleevecomprising of a plurality of pods producing true cylindricaldescription.
 5. The chiller of claim 1, wherein the removablecylindrical sleeve comprising of a plurality of pods containingdistilled water.
 6. The chiller of claim 1, wherein the removablecylindrical sleeve comprising of a plurality of pods whereas pods aresolidly construct of high thermal conductivity materials.
 7. The chillerof claim 1, wherein the removable cylindrical sleeve comprising of aplurality of pods whereas pods' concave surfaces are in direct contactwith object.
 8. The chiller of claim 4, wherein the removablecylindrical sleeve comprising of a plurality of pods having pods'concave surfaces are in full contact with object.
 9. The chiller ofclaim 2, wherein the removable cylindrical sleeve comprising of aplurality of pods delivering radial compression force to grip object.10. The chiller of claim 2, wherein the removable cylindrical sleevecomprising of a plurality of pods generating instant change of itsinside diameter to receive object.
 11. The cap of claim 1, wherein thecap providing seal off condition to object.
 12. The cap of claim 1,wherein the built-in seal structure generating instant change of itsinside diameter to fully contact object.
 13. The cap of claim 1, whereinmaterial for the built-in seal is elastic.